Role of isoprostanes in human male infertility

ABSTRACT

One of the major causes of defective sperm function is oxidative stress, which limits the fertilizing potential of these cells as the result of collateral damage to proteins and lipids in the sperm plasma membrane. On this point, a derangement of both generation and neutralization of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a recognized cause of male infertility. Antioxidant protection in sperm has been widely investigated, as well as the sperm composition of fatty acids (FA), which represents the preferred substrate for ROS, most frequently linked to the disease-related infertility. Isoprostanes are compounds derived from free radical-mediated oxidation of FAs. As such, they are considered an index of lipid oxidative damage and lipid mediators. This article discusses the role of isoprostanes as relevant factors both to sperm FA composition and sperm membrane integrity. Additionally, isoprostane’s influence on sperm quality is reviewed. With reference to male reproductive dysfunction, increasing evidence indicates isoprostanes, detectable in biological fluids or sperm membrane, as the specific index of 1) exposure to chemical etiological agents, 2) oxidative damage, 3) reduced antioxidant response, and 4) sperm immaturity.

Abbreviations

OS: oxidative stress; ROS: reactive oxygen species; PUFAs: polyunsaturated fatty acids; ARA: arachidonic acid, F₂-IsoPs; F₂-isoprostanes, PLA₂: phospholipase A₂; NADPH: nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate; IVF: in vitro fertilization

KEYWORDS:

• Human semen
• isoprostanes
• male infertility
• oxidative stress

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Authors’ contributions

Contributing to the writing of the manuscript and drawing of review figures and table: CS, GC, EM; carried out the collection of relevant data and literature: CS, GC; conceived the draft, edited the manuscript, revised the manuscript: CS, GC, EM. All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript and agreed with the order of presentation of the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or non-profit sector.